Month: October 2015

Home Remodeling: It Shouldn’t Be Scary And Neither Should Buying a Home

Home Improvement

HOME REMODELING SHOULDN’T BE SCARY – AND NEITHER SHOULD BUYING A HOME

Don't get tricked when remodeling or buying a new home.

Don’t get tricked when starting a home improvement project or buying a new home.

Yesterday I told you about the client who called Leading Edge Homes, Inc. to install a tub and we discovered that other work had been done in the bathroom without a permit. The good news is – the problems can be corrected.  The bad news is – it will be costly.

This reminds me of a home inspection I did last weekend.  Yes, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. also does home inspections – and we do more than check to see if appliances work.

Signs That Work Was Done Without a Permit

Illegal Addition:

The floor in a room is not at the same level as the main house.

A sliding glass door leads to an interior room.

Illegal Bathroom Remodel:

There isn’t a minimum of 15 inches from the center of the toilet to the wall, tub, or cabinet.

Illegal Kitchen Remodel:

If it’s obvious that new cabinets were installed, but the electric was not brought up to date.

How do you know? The receptacles need to be GFI protected, on a 20 amp circuit, and spaced no more than 4 feet on center.

If there is a counter top with more than six inches of overhang, there must be an electric receptacle underneath it.

If you want a professional remodeling experience or a home inspection with a home remodeling expert view, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvetment project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HOME REMODELING: OOPS IT HAPPENED AGAIN

Bathroom Renovations, Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

BUT HE SAID I DON’T NEED A PERMIT

Leading Edge Homes - A Home Improvement Contractor You Can TrustIt happened again. Yesterday, I received a call about installing a tub for a potential client. What I thought was going to be a simple quote to see where the tub was going to be installed, turned out to be like opening a can of worms.

The job entails more than installing the tub… it involves redoing the entire bathroom.

What Went Wrong?

The biggest mistake was that the client believed her contractor that permits did not need to be pulled to make changes to the bathroom. Had a permit been pulled, none of the following issues would have occurred:

  1. The bathroom is too narrow for adding a bidet next to the toilet. According to the plumbing code, a minimum of 60 inches is required from drywall of one side wall to drywall to drywall of other side wall.  They only have 57 inches.
  2. The tile was installed before the bathroom door, now the opening is too short for the door.
  3. The door they bought swings the wrong way.
  4. The plumbing waste and supply lines were cut, patched, and brought out of the floor and wall in the wrong locations.

What Has to Happen Now?

This mistake will be costly. Drywall has to be removed, the floor has to be cut up to correct any plumbing violations, the doorway needs to be re-framed, and either a new toilet/bidet all-in-one unit needs to be purchased or the room needs to be made larger to accommodate both a bidet and toilet.

This would not have happened if the client hired a professional remodeling contractor instead of an unlicensed, uninsured “handyman”.

Other Consequences

If the client left everything as is, and went to sell her house, she might have difficulty passing a home inspection. A good inspector would notice that the plumbing was not per code, an appraiser would probably discover that the bath remodeling was done without a permit, and the homeowner could be fined for doing work without a permit.

If you want a professional remodeling experience or a second opinion, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvetment project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT: BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

Home Improvement

Home Improvement: WARNING – THEY JUST WANT YOUR MONEY

 

Leading Edge Homes - Avoid Scams

Nothing makes  my blood boil more than people who are taken advantage of by home remodeling contractors.

This morning, as I was enjoying my cup of coffee and reading the Palm Beach Post, the article “Company Changes Name, Not Practices” caught my eye.

Once again, a local Palm Beach County company is scamming seniors and using high pressure tactics to commit what I consider robbery.

PHONY REPRESENTATIONS

I wish I had a solution for the problem of phony representations.

The article in the Palm Beach Post mentioned how a “representative from Florida Power and Light (FPL)” contacted the victim to help her save money on her electric bill. The victim, trusting the person on the phone, believed that this was true.  Who wouldn’t want to save money on their bills?

But… FPL did not really contact the woman, nor does it sell air conditioners. The net result was she overpaid for a system she did not need and actually increased her electric bills.

COOLING OFF PERIOD

The best solution is to do your due diligence and verify what you are being told before you sign a contract and hire a remodeling company. That includes verifying licenses, contacting your local building department to see if a permit is required, and checking references.

If you, or a loved one, signed a contract with a home improvement / home remodeling contractor, you have a short window to change your mind and cancel the transaction.

In Florida, “if you purchase goods or services during the course of a “home solicitation sale,” you maintain a three-day right to cancel. A sale is considered a “home solicitation sale” if it takes place in your home, or at a location which is not the main or permanent place of business for the seller, so long as the purchase price is more than $25.”

You can read more about the Florida “cooling off period” here.

 

If you want a professional remodeling experience or a second opinion, contact your local design-build contractor, like Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvetment project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: REMODELING IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT

Home Improvement

SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT?

Leading Edge Homes - Investing In Your Home

Don’t just invest in your home for future returns, invest in your lifestyle.

Like many of the blogs with home improvement ideas and tips, I have been guilty of publishing what home improvement will give you the best return on your investment. You only get that return on your investment, however, when you SELL your home. Otherwise, it is just an imaginary gain in a fluctuating market.

If you choose to remodel, you should be investing in yourself and your lifestyle. Consider things that will improve your livability, make your house less stressful, and even allow you to age in place.

 

Kitchen Cabinets or Walk-In Pantry?

Walk-in pantries may be a less expensive alternative to kitchen cabinets.

Walk-in pantries may be a less expensive alternative to kitchen cabinets.

Kitchen cabinets can be expensive.

Half of them are up high on the wall where they’re hard to reach, and the wall space they take up could be better used for windows.

A pantry, if you have room in your design, can take up less space, stores a lot more, is much easier to use, and costs less to build.

Tub or Shower?

Leading Edge Homes - Shower without doors.A shower takes up less space, uses less hot water, and is far more sanitary than a big tub.

You can always design your shower so there are no doors and make it so you don’t have to step over any curbing. Avoiding ways to trip is a great idea for aging in place.

I would not recommend removing all the tubs in your house — every house needs at least one for resale.

Group Windows Together

We are converting a screened in patio into living space for one of our clients. They don’t want to lose the beautiful view they have from their screen room, so we are grouping large windows together to maintain their view.

This design will also make it easier for furniture placement because there is still plenty of wall space that is not broken up by windows.

Adding a Room – Bigger Isn’t Always Better

“Volume” ceilings do not automatically make better rooms and are more expensive to cool.

If adding a family room, consider adding a fireplace or other focal element. We have installed many fireplaces in Florida.

Wall trim, multiple paint colors and crown moldings also give the room interest and can create the illusion of height.

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A focal element gives your room addition character.

Spend more time planning.

Think about furniture placement in the room — is there enough wall space, are the windows high enough for furniture to go underneath them?  You may not need to make the room as big as you think you do.

When I built my house, I printed out scale drawings of each room. I then cut out scaled versions of the furniture for each room (if you don’t have the furniture yet, you can cut out standard sizes and shapes for the type of furniture you think you like) and placed it in the room. You can see how the room might layout, if the room can be smaller, and whether or not the windows and doors might impact the room’s flow.

If you don’t want to spend time cutting and drawing, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. can help you.  We can bring a computer with our CAD software to you and design your new room with furniture placement so you can virtually walk through it before beginning any construction!

If you want a professional remodeling experience contact your local design-build contractor, like Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvetment project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

HOME IMPROVEMENT: PAINTING HINTS

Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT – PAINTING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Picking the right color isn’t the only important thing when painting your home.

A few days ago, I told you about the 2016 Paint Color Trends. 

But more than picking the right color, is knowing some tricks of the trade to make your paint look its best.

According to an article in Popular Mechanics:

Professional painters are fast, efficient, and have mastered techniques that produce top-notch results while making it all look easy. Each painter has slightly different methods and preferences, but the pros all know the trade secrets, including the following tips.

SAND AWAY FLAWS

home improvement sandi walls

You have to start with a perfectly smooth surface to end up with perfectly painted walls or woodwork. One pro says that sander would be a more fitting job title than painter since he spends so much time pushing sandpaper. Sanding levels out spackle or joint-compound patches and flattens ridges around nail holes. Sanding also removes burrs and rough spots in your trim.

Sand the walls from the baseboard to the ceiling with fine grit sanding paper on a sanding pole. Then sand horizontally along the baseboard and ceiling. Don’t put a lot of pressure on the sanding pole or the head can flip over and damage the wall. Sand woodwork with a sanding sponge to get into crevices.

USE TINTED PRIMER

Before the pros paint walls, they fill holes and patch cracks with joint compound. But if you paint directly over it, the compound will suck the moisture out of the paint, giving it a flat, dull look (a problem called “flashing”). Those spots will look noticeably different than the rest of the wall. To avoid that, pros prime the walls before painting.

Instead of using white primer, pros usually have it tinted gray or a color that’s similar to the finish paint. Tinted primer does a better job of covering the existing paint color than plain primer, so your finish coat will be more vibrant and may require fewer coats. This is especially true with colors like red or orange, which could require three or more coats without a primer.

SCRAPE A RIDGE INTO POPCORN OR TEXTURED CEILINGS

The problem with painting along the edge of textured ceilings is that it’s almost impossible to get a straight line along the top of the wall without getting paint on the ceiling bumps. Pros have a simple solution. They run a screwdriver along the perimeter of the ceiling to scrape off the texture. “This lets you cut in without getting paint on the ceiling texture,” one of our pros says. “The screwdriver creates a tiny ridge in the ceiling, so the tips of your paint bristles naturally go into it. And you’ll never even notice the missing texture.”

DROP CLOTHS – DON’T USE SHEETS

canvas dropPros don’t use bed sheets as drop cloths, and neither should you. Thin sheets won’t stop splatters and spills from seeping through to your flooring. And while plastic can contain spills, the paint stays wet for a long time. That wet paint can (and usually does) find the bottom of your shoes and get tracked through the house.

Use what the pros use—canvas drop cloths. They’re not slippery and they absorb splatters (but still wipe up large spills or they can bleed through). “Unless you’re painting a ceiling, you don’t need a jumbo-size cloth that fills the entire room,” a pro says. “A canvas cloth that’s just a few feet wide and runs the length of the wall is ideal for protecting your floor, and it’s easy to move.”

BOX YOUR PAINT – IN A BUCKET

box your paintThe “same” color of paint can vary between cans. “That difference can be glaringly obvious if you pop open a new gallon halfway through a wall,” a retired painter tells PM. To ensure color consistency from start to finish, pros mix their cans of paint in a 5 gallon bucket (a process called “boxing”).

Some pros then paint directly out of the bucket. This eliminates the need to pour paint into a roller tray, though the heavy bucket is harder to move.

If you want a professional painting or remodeling experience contact your local contractor, like Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvetment project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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Home Improvement: PAINT COLORS 2016 FORECAST

Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT: PAINT COLORS AND DESCRIPTIONS DESIGNED TO HYPNOTIZE YOUR MIND

Anyone Can Paint

Over the years, we have seen many interesting paint color choices for interior and exterior home remodeling projects.

But, did you know, that each year paint manufacturers predict what the hottest trends will be for the next year?

I am not one to follow trends, but for fun let’s see what the paint companies have to say.

2016 Color of the Year

Leading Edge Homes - Paint Color of 2016

2016 Paint Colors of the Year — Shades of White

The 2016 “color of the year” for Benjamin Moore and Glidden is off-white and Sherwin-Williams and Behr also include off-white in their 2016 color trend forecasts.

Benjamin Moore is still showing pops of color with trims and accents walls.

Color Names and Descriptions

Sherwin Williams describes their paint colors vividly.

This is the description of the Sherwin Williams 2016 color forecast. 

Passionate pursuit. Fresh mindfulness. Vintage workmanship. Social engagement. And technology and materials that seem to come from out of this world. We’re taking the best of everything life has to offer and indulging in the moment. Prepare to come together as we go in passionate pursuit of a shared color consciousness.

The colors are made to sound exciting!

Personally, I don’t choose colors based on the wording describing how the colors should make me feel, I choose colors based on my personal tastes, how it will blend in with my furniture and accessories, etc. But, it is fun to read the descriptions.

Choosing a Paint Color

Leading Edge Homes - Accent walls give a pop of color.

An accent wall gives the family room a pop of color.

Color set the mood.  You have to decide what kind of space you want to create.
What Inspires You?

Do you have a favorite pillow, painting, a vacation spot or fruit? Look for colors that make you happy or bring you to a happy place. Remember, you don’t need to follow trends.

 

Colors Can Define Your Mood

Color psychology says the room color can define your mood.

Pick the color that you want to use.

Since white is the color of the season, you may want to choose one of the colors above as an accent.

What is in Your Home?

Your furnishing and flooring should also be considered when choosing a paint color.

To see if the color you are choosing will go with your room, get paint samples and paint them on the wall.  Colors will look differently from the paper sample because of your lighting, furniture, and room size.

Remember, there is more to changing the color of your walls to make sure your paint looks good. You need to prep your walls, fill in nail holes, and buy the proper paint.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: SIMPLE CHANGES TO PREPARE YOUR HOUSE FOR THE FUTURE

Home Improvement, Home Safety

HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS – SIMPLE, TECHNOLOGY-FREE IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR HOME EASIER TO NAVIGATE

There is so much talk about home technology, especially since today is October 21, 2015.  For those of you who don’t remember the importance of today, it is when Marty McFly traveled to October 21, 2015, to save his children who were yet to be born, in the film “Back to the Future Part II.”

 

Of course, adding technology to your home can be great, but for aging in place there are some simple design things you can implement to make it easier for you and your loved ones. It’s the little things that make a difference:

Cabinet Handles

A Leading Edge Homes, Inc. kitchen – with a hidden spice rack.

D-Shaped handles are much easier to grasp than round knobs. They don’t have to look utilitarian… There are many pretty designs to give your kitchen or bathroom a new look.  If you already have knobs, you may need to add a backer plate to the doors to hide the old holes or mount the handle lower to reuse the existing hole.

Door Handles

Image result for door lever styles

Use lever handles, not knobs, because they are easier to push and grab on to.

Faucet Handles

Bathroom Remodeling - Leading Edge Homes, Inc. - Home Remodeler

A modern look for your bathroom.

Change your faucets to lever, touch, or sensor style faucets. Again, the shape of the handle makes it easier to use.

If you have been inspired by something you have seen or want to determine if it can be duplicated in your home, contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. at 561-795-2551.  We will be happy to help you.

Other Thoughts

Place your microwave at counter top level because it is easier to reach.

Use a hand-held shower head that gets attached to a holster on an adjustable bar because it can be used when standing or sitting.

Modern conveniences and technology are great… but simple changes make aging in place easier.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: REALITY SHOWS ARE NOT REAL

Home Improvement, Home Improvement Pricing

Remodeling Reality Shows – the ABC’s

abc

The ABC’s of home improvement reality shows may be a shock to you!

A – Always Believe What You See (NOT!)

Since 2000, when Trading Spaces hit the airways, networks have been creating more and more remodeling/home improvement shows to capture viewers. The theme is always the same: quick, easy, and cheap.

Of course, when I watch these shows I know that quick, easy, and cheap are not three words I would ever use when quoting a remodeling project – but many people who call me about jobs believe what they see on TV.

What you don’t see is that the shows are really taped over weeks if not months. Don’t let home renovation shows trick you into thinking you’ll be able to tear out all the walls and completely change the layout of the kitchen during a 3-day weekend. Besides, inspectors don’t work weekends!

B – Biggest Myth (How Long Will it Take?)

The programs show homeowners quickly demolishing a kitchen. What you don’t see is the large crew really doing it! The shows have an entire team working quickly behind the scenes, but they are not on camera. What you see is typically staged and edited to make a nice television show and not the real process.

Cost – It Only Costs $2,500 to Update the Kitchen (Another Reality Show Myth)

Cost is another thing that surprises most first-time renovators. Shows claim an entire kitchen or bathroom remodel was done for a couple thousand dollars but don’t tell you about labor that was supplied by local contractors to have their name listed in the credit or deals that were pre-arranged for materials. They also don’t tell you about any costs that were absorbed by the show.

You might be surprised by what the real costs are for updating a bathroom or kitchen, especially when walls or appliance locations need to be relocated. When floors may have to be cut to re-route plumbing or electrical wiring has to be brought up-to-date and compliant with current codes costs add up quickly.

The $5,000 television “phantom” cost could be more like $25,000 in real life! Small budgets may be great for a new coat of paint and surface changes but not for a major, professionally completed remodeling project.

Talk to a remodeling professional to discover the real cost to complete the work.

Do It Yourself

Don’t let your ego make you think you are better than the clueless homeowner you saw on television. It’s so easy to think “I can do that just like I saw on TV.”

Remember, behind every clueless homeowner filming on television is a remodeling professional guiding them, if not actually doing the work for them. You don’t want to burst a pipe, cut into electric wiring, or leave your house in worse shape than before you started. Reality television is NOT reality – it’s entertainment.

Installing cabinets, laying tile, moving and building walls are not necessarily for weekend-warriors.

Reality home remodeling shows should be used for inspiration only.

If you have been inspired by something you have seen on television and want to determine if it can be duplicated in your home, contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. at 561-795-2551.  We will give you a real, guaranteed price.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: KITCHEN REMODELING WHEN YOU HAVE FURRY FRIENDS

Home Improvement, Home Safety, Kitchen Ideas

Remodeling Your Kitchen With Your Dog In Mind

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. dog and human approved!

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. dog and human approved!

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is dog and owner approved and your dog will love these changes when you are remodeling your kitchen.

There are so many things you can do to make hidden nooks and crannies for your dog and keep your kitchen safe from trip hazards. It’s a win-win for you and your furry friend.

SAFETY FOR YOU AND YOUR PET

A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR DOG TO REST
dog in bed

If you have  “extra” base cabinet space install a dog bed under the counter or in your island. However, don’t build the bed space under a cooking area. Your dog will have a safe place to stay while you are working in the kitchen.

DON’T TRIP OVER YOUR DOG’S BOWLS

How many times have you tripped over your dog’s bowls?

pull out food

Hiding the food bowls in your cabinets.

Ask your remodeler to build a custom drawer, where the toe-kick is, that you can pull out when it is feeding time.

Although this is a unique idea there are downsides. You will need to pull the drawer out frequently so your dog can get water throughout the day and your dog may try to pull open the drawer and paw at the cabinet to get to his food.

food under cabinet

Another way to avoid a trip hazard!

Or, build a special feeding area under a cabinet or island.  That way the bowls are safely out of the way and your dog will have access to water as needed.

PULL OUT CABINETS FOR YOUR DOG KIBBLE!

Wooden Kitchen Cabinets with Trash Cans inside

Normally, people use this type of cabinet for holding garbage cans. Why not install a pull out cabinet for your dog food?

Now you won’t have to walk to the garage or storage cupboard for a cup of kibble.

I would strongly recommend that you use a container that is air-tight and has a lid so ants and other creatures don’t try to get a free meal!

TILE COLOR MATTERS

Want to hide your dog hair? Choosing the right color tile, depending on the color of your dog, makes a difference!

Kitchen remodeling tile color

I bet you can’t find my hairs on the tile!

Tiles that are in the grey or tan family hide a multitude of sins!  We have a brindle Jack-Russell / Boston Terrier mix, Tedy, and a regular visiting mixed breed dog that we affectionately named Blizzard. As you can imagine, Blizzard sheds white hair everywhere and Tedy is not far behind him.

The tile always looks clean (unless of course you are looking from an angle and can see the dogs hairs).

Renovating your kitchen with your dog in mind can help bring many great conveniences to your home.

For more ideas about how you can customize your house for your needs contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. at 561-795-2551.

 

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO…

Bathroom Renovations, Home Improvement, Home Improvement Pricing

How Much Will it Cost To Remodel My Bathroom

Leading Edge Homes - Not all Bathrooms are Created Equal

Bathroom remodeling prices are unique to your individual tastes.

Remodeling Pricing is Not Instant

Yesterday I told you about the article on BloombergBusiness that said Facebook Inc. is teaming up with Pro.com, which will help a Facebook Messenger user find a qualified contractor [and get] an instant quote “within minutes on home projects…”

This concept reminds me of the calls I get where people ask me how much will it cost to add a bathroom, remodel a bathroom, paint a room, build an addition, etc.

There is no such thing as an instant price!

Home Remodeling Price Estimates Online

I have often wondered where people determine what a job should cost. So like many people do, I went to some of the sites that give pricing. On one of the “advisor” sites, it gives a range of pricing in a graphic form that says bathroom remodeling ranges from about $3,000 to a high of $20,000. It took me several times of looking at the site until I found where it said it was for installation only… but the heading said “How Much Does it Cost to Remodel A Bathroom.” What about the materials, permit, trash disposal, etc.?

If you are like me, I did not catch that it didn’t include materials, until I looked at it more than several times. Relying on these sites to guestimate what your project might cost is a total waste of time.

My Least Favorite Question

How much do you charge per square foot?  The answer is simply, I don’t charge by the square foot because it is totally inaccurate. Obviously a 500 square foot family room with a shingled roof and carpeting will cost far less that a 500 square foot two bedroom, one bath addition with barrel tile roof and marble flooring/shower walls.

RUN, DON’T WALK If a Contractor Gives a Price By Instant Message or Over the Phone Without a Site Visit and Asking Questions About Finish Materials

A bathroom built by Leading Edge Homes.

There are many things that a professional home improvement contractor needs to know before giving you a price. For example, if you are remodeling your bathroom:

Are you installing basic fixtures?

Faucets may cost as little as $40.00 and as high as $600 (or more).  That’s without installation!

Are you installing tile or marble?

Tile may be as little as $5 per square foot and marble as much as $20 per square foot installed.

What type of counter top do you want – mica, marble, granite, quartz?

What type of lavatory?

Will it be an under mount bowl?

What type of cabinetry do you want?

Are you getting a prefabricated cabinet with lavatory? (Better make sure it meets the building codes.)

Do you want solid wood cabinets?

What type of knobs / pulls do you want?  (They range in price from $1 per knob to $25 per knob – without installation.)

What are the conditions in the bathroom?

Is there drywall damage from moisture or mold? (If there is mold, you will need someone to clean out the mold and get certification that the mold removal was done properly before any work can proceed.)

Do the walls need to be demolished down to the studs?

Is there proper backing for the new cabinets) you want to install?

What are you doing with the existing bath / shower?

Are your replacing the tub?

What type of shower enclosure do you want?

Are you changing the layout of the room?

Are you moving the toilet? (The floors will have to be demolished to get to the plumbing pipes.)

Are you converting from a tub to a shower or vice versa?

Does your shower pan need to be replaced?

Was your house built before 1978 and perhaps need lead paint removal?

Is your electric up-to-code?  

Will smoke detectors have to be added to your home to meet the current National Electric Code?

When you remodel the interior of your house, under most circumstances you will need to update your smoke detectors per the latest code.

Other Costs Included When A Professional Remodels Your Bathroom

  • Permit fees — Yes, a permit must be pulled and inspections performed
  • Trash removal
  • Clean-Up
  • Builder’s Risk Insurance Policy
  • General Liability / Workman’s Compensation Insurance
Don’t trust advisor sites that sell your project to home improvement contractors that pay for your information. Contact contractors in your area and interview them to get an accurate price.
Your home improvement contractor can guide you, tell you where you can save money, and help you turn your home into an oasis.
You already know a trustworthy contractor – Leading Edge Homes.  Whenever a project comes up, please call us at 561-795-2551 and we will be happy to complete it for you.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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